Regional

11:36 am

Sat May 4, 2013

Texas House Debates 14 Gun Bills

Lawmakers are debating 14 bills related to firearms or their licensing or regulation on Saturday.

Among them is a contentious plan to allow concealed weapons permit holders to take their handguns into college classrooms.

That issue became exceedingly volatile during the last legislative session in 2011, and ultimately failed. The version currently in the House, though, would allow colleges to opt-out — which has softened critics' opposition to it.

Even if that bill advances in the House, however, it may face long odds in the Senate.

Another measure would exempt Texas from any future federal limits on assault weapons or high-capacity magazines.

And there's a bill to allow a concealed handgun license to be used as a valid form of state ID.